Organic Farming: India And International Standards The three previous editions of Organic health by use of organic wastes (crop, animal Growth have been devoted towards research and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other IInsidenside on the critical needs and variants of Organic biological materials along with beneficial farming. As the world begins to grapple microbes (bio fertilizers) to release nutrients HHomageomage with rising food insecurity associated with to crops for increased sustainable production varying weather conditions, this points to the in an eco-friendly pollution free environment. critical understanding of the crucial role that - MManiramaniram DDewanewan Organic farming not only enhances the organic farming plays, which is now about to biodiversity but also reduces the vulnerability experience a resurgence across the globe. OOrganicrganic ffarmingarming hashas growngrown of the region to climate change. Besides rrapidly,apidly, ssaysays EEUU At the recent World Economic Forum, Mr. the beneficial aspects, what is inspiring to William McDonough, who co –developed motivate farmers in organic farming is that FFarmarm ttoo ffork,ork, oourur ffoodood iiss Cradle to Cradle, a project dedicated to organic products are relatively high prized and bbecomingecoming a ttoxicoxic cocktailcocktail Circular Economy showcased how two distinct global demand is surging. material flows are safe and regenerative: WWhyhy mmoreore ffarmersarmers iinn IIndiandia biological materials are designed to be INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS returned to nature, technical materials are aarere ggoingoing oorganicrganic designed for perpetual cycles of use by The International Federation of Organic industry. Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has OOrganicrganic ffarmingarming gaininggaining produced a set of international organic While affluent regions and social classes standards, laid down by many countries. These ppopularityopularity struggle with surplus production and surplus give guidelines about what organic farming is consumption, close to one fifth of the and how it should be practiced on the farm. OOrganicrganic ffoodood ccostsosts moremore global population lives in constant under- tthanhan cconventionalonventional food.food. IsIs nourishment.Organic Agriculture contributes The main principles of organic farming, laid iitt wworthorth tthehe eextraxtra mmoney?oney? to food security by a combination of many down by IFOAM in 1992, focused on how features, most notably by increasing yields to produce food of high nutritional quality MMajorajor sstudytudy ddocumentsocuments in low-input areas, conserving biodiversity in sufficient quantity, interaction of all bbenefitsenefits ooff oorganicrganic farmingfarming and nature resources on the farm and in the natural systems and cycles, enhancement of surrounding area, increasing income and/ biological cycles within the farming system, or reducing costs, producing safe and varied maintenance and increasing long term fertility SStudytudy ffindsinds cclearlear food and being sustainable in the long term. of soils, utilization of renewable resources in ddifferencesifferences bbetweenetween locally organized agricultural systems, working Thus, organic farming takes the best of the within a closed system, reusability and oorganicrganic aandnd nnon-organicon-organic practices and combines them with modern recycling of materials, good living conditions ffoodood scientific knowledge. for livestock, minimal pollution, maintenance OOrganicrganic ffoodsoods mmayay helphelp INDIA of genetic diversity of the agricultural system, safe working environment and social and ppreventrevent ccancer:ancer: StudyStudy India has the greatest number of certified organic producers around 400, 551 farmers. ecological impact of the farming system. IInn ffondond rrememberance-ememberance- Small-scale farmers, who were previously Increased conversion to organic agriculture viewed as being too conservative, are now will bring appreciable changes in land use and HHowardoward TThomashomas OOdumdum willing to learn and eager to adopt organic food supply chains. Organic agriculture has the farming. Farmers, however require support potential to narrow the producer-consumer HHathikuliathikuli OOrganic-Growingrganic-Growing from the state and national government to gap and enhance local food markets. Organic NNaturallyaturally deal with such changes. Organic farming agriculture will result in decreased food system in India is not new and is being surpluses in industrial countries and improved OOrganicrganic NNewsews followed from ancient time. It is a method productivity in developing countries. of farming system which primarily aimed at IInn MMemoriumemorium cultivating the land and raising crops in such Ranjit Barthakur, Chairman, APPL - WWilliamilliam OOliverliver a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good Foundation

2 HHomage-omage- MManiramaniram DDewanewan

If the three ingredients - the man, the moment and the milieu-constitute the recipe for human greatness, these too occasionally conspire to bring about individual tragedies. Maniram Dutta Barua (1806-1858), popularly known as Maniram Dewan, undoubtedly the greatest Assamese of the first half of the 19th century is a poignant illustration of this truism. Maniram Dewan otherwise known as Maniram Datta Barua is popular among the people of Assam as a tea cultivator. He was one of the first people to establish tea gardens in Assam. Maniram Dewan and tea cultivation in Assam Born on 17 April 1806, Maniram’s family had migrated to Assam from Kannauj in the early 16th century. The paternal ancestors of Maniram held high offices in this Ahom court. Maniram started his career by becoming a loyal associate of the British East India company administration under David Scott. This David was the agent of Governor General in North East India. At the age of Born: April 17, 1806 Died: February 26, 1858 22, Maniram was appointed as the Tehsildar Maniram Dutta Barbhandari Baruah, popularly known as Maniram and Sheristadar. Later he was made a Prime Dewan, was an Assamese nobleman in British India. Maniram was Minister (Borbhandar) by the titular king, the first local Tea Planter who was Organic by Default ..an inspira- Purandar Singha of Assam. tion to the tea community through the ages.

In earlier times, tea was grown in Assam But in 1840’s Maniram quitted the job due understand that Maniram was very popular state by Singpho people, who speak the to differences of opinion with officers. But among the people of Assam. Singpho dialect of the Jingpo language. he had acquired sufficient tea cultivation Maniram was hanged by the British for Maniram informed British about this tea expertise. Later Maniram became the first conspiring against them during the 1857 cultivation and he helped Robert Bruce and Indian to grow tea commercially in Assam uprising, more commonly known as the Charles Bruce to get into connection with the by establishing his own tea gardens at Indian rebellion of 1857. He was hanged to local Singpho chief Bessa Gam for getting Cinnamara in Jorhat and Seleng in Sibsagar death on 26 February 1858, at the age of 51 information about this tea cultivation. After respectively. He was not only a tea cultivator in Jorhat. collecting the tea plants from this Singphos but also ventured into gold procuring, salt and analyzing them, they found that they production, iron smelting, manufacturing To live in the minds and hearts of those you were not same species as china tea plants. of goods, boat and brick making, ivory inspired is not to die….his memory and his When the East India Company decided to work, ceramic, agricultural products, and legacy lives on indelibly etched in the annals start tea cultivation in India, Assam was one many more. From these points itself we can of tea in Assam. of the suggested places. In the year 1839, Maniram was appointed as the Dewan of Assam Tea Company at Nazira. Maniram became the first Indian to grow tea commercially in Assam by establishing his own tea gardens at Cinnamara in Jorhat and Seleng in

Sibsagar respectively. 3 OOrganicrganic ffarmingarming hhasas ggrownrown rrapidly,apidly, ssaysays EEUU

The organic farming sector has grown rapidly some 61.3% of organic farmers were under Dacian Ciolo, the European commissioner for over the past ten years, to about 500,000 55, compared to 44.2% in the non-organic agriculture and rural development. new hectares every year, according to EU agriculture. The European Court of Auditors has urged statistics. The 12 countries that have joined the for stronger enforcement of the rules on Both the number of organic farm holdings EU since 2004, excluding Croatia, which organic farming. Products labelled as such and area grew by more than half between joined last year, were also seeing a growth have been found to contain pesticides, 2003 and 2010. in organic farming, according to the EU antibiotics or GMOs. executive. In 2011, the European Union had 9.6 million The Commission says that organic food hectares of organic farming land. The year Organic agriculture grew by 13% per year responds to the growing consumer demand before, there were more than 186,000 between 2002 and 2011 and the number of “while at the same time delivering public of such farms registered across the then farms multiplied by ten times between 2003 goods in terms of environmental protection, 27-country bloc. and 2010. animal welfare and rural development”. Organic farming is defined as food Permanent pasture accounts for the largest production which has a minimal impact on share of such farming (45%), followed by the environment by operating as naturally as cereals (15%) and permanent crops (13%). Organic agriculture possible. Animal production accounts for 1%. The EU has standards for organic farming, The European Commission released grew by 13% per year including the use of chemicals, in pesticides, proposals for further rules on organic between 2002 and fertilisers and animal medication, as well as farming in March, aimed at strengthening the protection of animal welfare. Genetically and harmonising legislation on the sector. 2011 and the number modified organisms are not allowed to be “The Commission is looking for more used in organic agriculture. of farms multiplied and better organic farming in the EU by Data shows that organic farmers are consolidating consumer confidence in by ten times between generally younger than the average organic products and removing obstacles to 2003 and 2010. conventional farmers in the EU. In 2010, the development of organic agriculture,” said

4 Farm to fork, our food is becoming a toxic cocktail

That India’s food chain is heavily as growth promoters. India has not set any long suspected that such rampant use of contaminated is well known. Even then limits for antibiotic residues in chicken. antibiotics in animals could be a reason the latest study by the Centre for Science for increasing antibiotic resistance among This indiscriminate use of antibiotics, leading and Environment, a public interest research humans in India, the government has no to resistance, has happened because the and advocacy organisation based in New data on the use of antibiotics in the country, country has no regulation on controlling Delhi, on the growing antibiotic resistance let alone on antibiotic resistance. Worldwide, antibiotic use in the poultry industry, in humans, thanks to indiscriminate governments are adopting regulations to or to control sales of antibiotics to the use of antibiotics in poultry industry is control the use of antibiotics: The European industry. That the situation is extremely frightening. The report, which was released Union, for instance, has banned the use serious can be gauged by the fact that on Wednesday, claims that Indians are of antibiotics as growth promoters. Since even people who stay in rural areas, who developing resistance to antibiotics and so much of the food trade in India is in the don’t use antibiotics regularly, are found to falling prey to a host of otherwise curable unorganised sector, the first step to reverse be antibiotic -resistant. This is happening ailments. And some of this resistance, the present bull run of antibiotics will be to because our everyday food is also becoming the study adds, might be due to large- set up a mechanism to gather data on the contaminated by antibiotics. Add to these, scale unregulated use of antibiotics in the depth of the problem and also a system to there have been several reports that poultry industry. The study done by the check the rampant use of antibiotics. But the traces of toxic metals have been found organisation’s pollution-monitoring lab most comprehensive step forward would be in fruit and vegetables. In fact, the Delhi tested 70 chicken samples from the Delhi- to do what the EU has done: Ban the use of government is planning a ban on farming National Capital Region for six commonly antibiotics as growth promoters with contaminated water from the Yamuna. used antibiotics: 40% samples were found Additives and compounds are also routinely - See more at: http://www.hindustantimes. positive and residues of more than one added. Food additives, scientists say, are com/comment/farm-to-fork-our-food-is- antibiotic found in 17% samples. Such large- capable of altering hormones. becoming-a-toxic-cocktail/article1-1246911. scale contamination can only mean that aspx#sthash.KpGJhvdR.dpuf the poultry industry uses these antibiotics Even though public health experts have

That the situation is extremely serious can be gauged by the fact that even people who stay in rural areas, who don’t use antibiotics regularly, are found to be antibiotic -resistant.

5 Why more farmers in India are going organic

Since the 1950s, chemical fertilisers and pesticides have been widely used across India to improve crop yields and grow more fruit and vegetables.

This trend has been credited with helping to feed a growing population and reduce food imports. Most farming today still uses these methods, but things may be slowly changing.

While there’s limited evidence of the health benefits of organic food, more and more people are choosing to buy it if they can.

Today there are thousands of farms across India certified as organic and the BBC has visited one of them in the state of Karnataka. Organic farming gaining popularity

Endeavours from many help vermicompost technology spread across Bangladesh

Mymensingh’s Harirampur village, situated “No.” “This fertilizer is very much necessary. If you in Muktagachha upazila’s Dulla union has “Did any of you used vermicompost on your apply it on soil, it gets more fertile. It works become a hub of vermicompost plants with crop land”, I asked. better than the chemical fertilizers.” the help from Department of Agricultural “I have used it on my paddy land”, replied Another farmer from this village, Anwar Extension (DAE) and local associations and Sima along with other women in the village. Hossain Kamal. He’s using vermicompost on farm entrepreneurs, specially women. If we “What differences did you find?” his eggplant plot. really want to revive soil fertility, we need to “The paddies look stronger and greener”. use a lot of organic fertilizers. “Before using vermicompost my eggplants Twenty two women are commercially looked reddish.” Production and extension of vermicompost is producing vermicompost through their “How much have you used here on this moving onward pretty fast. The rural women association. This association is doing a very land?” are benefitted in two ways. They can earn good job in the village and across the union. “20 KGs.” extra money while setting up vermicompost “I don’t have to buy fertilizer from market. “What’s the price of it?” plants, and also by producing organic food Rather, I can produce it from household “Tk. 200 only.” using this technology. I have talked with waste”, said a female member of the homemaker Ruma and others from Chandpur I talked with Jalil, a young and educated association. These women are contributing to village in Dulla union. farmer who had the same experience. revive the soil quality in a meaningful way. “How many times can the earthworms be “I used to spend around Tk. 1000 before on reproduced?” “What’s the cost difference between using chemical fertilizer, and now I only spend 200 “Many times.” urea and vermicompost?” “Don’t the earthworms lose their strength?” taka”. “Vermicompost saved a lot of cost for me. “No.” Ruhul Amin is the Chairman of a local youth It’s a very handy technology.” I also spoke to another female farmer. association based on voluntary labour, Mohammad Ali and his wife Fulesa Begum known as ‘Jubo Krishi Shomaj Unnayan “Do you use cow dung?” have built their own plant of vermicompost Shongstha’. This association is also helped “Yes.” at home. and guided by DAE and is contributing to “No straws?” promote vermicompost.

6 Organic farming gaining popularity Cont.

“We have three major targets. Using building their own vermicompost plants. This never run their organization. The closed agricultural inputs in an integrated way, is very profitable and environment friendly factory has ten thousand tons of organic revival of soil quality and better farming”, agricultural initiative for sure. fertilizer. These fertilizers could have played a said Ruhul. The organization tries to raise great role in the revival of the soil fertility. Bangladeshi arable lands have gradually lost awareness amongst farmers through field 85% of fertility. According to SRDI, soil lacks This factory had once all the facilities for level training. They tell them that chemical both organic matters and nutrients. Out of producing quality organic fertilizer. As they fertilizers are not the food for soil but only 8.3 million hectares of arable land in the didn’t get any market, the entrepreneurs had for crops. country, nutrients have decreased alarmingly to shut it down. Agro-entrepreneur Syed Abu The organic fertilizer is just the opposite of in 3.3 million hectares of lands. Plants Siddiqui was explaining why organic fertilizer chemicals. Mostly they have to deal with absorb 14 organic chemical compounds couldn’t get the market. illiterate farmers. Ruhul has formed this from among the total 17 from the soil. All “Farmers are not fully aware of this organization to make them aware about the over Bangladesh, these chemical compounds new technology and that’s why they benefits of organic farming. are missing from the soil. The main reason weren’t interested to use vermicompost. If behind this is the organic matter from the Amin says it would have been impossible to government takes the initiative to promote soil is decreasing. spread the organic farming across the region the benefits of this technology among without the help of farmer-friendly SAAO, For a higher yield, using the organic fertilizer farmers of Bangladesh, definitely farmers will Selim Reza. is the only way. In the past, with government show up for using organic fertilizers”, said initiative, for producing quality organic Syed Abu Siddiqui. It’s a great news that farmers are becoming fertilizer, entrepreneurs were provided with aware of producing fresh agricultural When saving the soil fertility and producing loans. Around 30 organizations received products while maintaining soil fertility. crops without pesticides are the most loans from government but only four of Hridoye Mati O Manush’s Grow Green important issues, we need an integrated them actually built plants. One of these four initiative has also helped them in this venture to spread the organic fertilizer across is the Agro Organic Food Complex, situated awakening process. the country. Public and private initiatives are in Faridpur’s Komorpur area. But, the key to restart facilities like this huge organic Meanwhile, in different regions of the organization is closed now. The concerned fertilizer producing factories. country, farmers as well unemployed youth authority says until the market of organic and people from different walks of life are fertilizer is not settled, the producers can

Meanwhile, in different regions of the country, farmers as well unemployed youth and people from different walks of life are building their own vermicompost plants. This is very profitable and environment friendly agricultural initiative for sure.

7 Organic food costs more than conventional food. Is it worth the extra money?

As a rule, organic food costs more than organic birds raised under organic standards organic. A “made with organic” label means conventional food. But is it worth the extra are just as likely to harbor bacterial that at least 70 percent of the product’s money? contamination as non-organic poultry, but a ingredients must be organic. “We want consumers to appreciate that smaller percentage of the bacteria tends to Organic packaged foods might be most by buying organic food, they are helping be resistant to antibiotics. important for children because the foods to support farming methods for plants and Beef are not allowed to contain synthetic dyes, animals that are healthier for the Earth’s Priority level: Medium to high. which have been linked to attention-deficit soil and water supply in the long run,” hyperactivity disorder. (Natural food colorings Why: Nutritional benefits. says Urvashi Rangan, executive director include annatto, beets and turmeric.) As with chicken, organic cattle aren’t of Consumer Reports’ Food Safety and There’s little evidence that conventional raised with routine antibiotics. For optimal Sustainability Center. Here’s Consumer packaged goods are a health hazard to nutritional benefits, look for organic meat Reports’ take on which organic choices adults — except perhaps to their waistlines. that’s labeled “American Grassfed Approved” provide the most immediate benefit and why. Remember, organic cookies are still cookies. or “USDA Process Verified Grass-fed,” which Fruits and vegetables Seafood guarantees that the animal was raised on a Priority level: High. diet of 99 percent grass and forage and had Priority level: Not applicable. Why: To avoid exposure to pesticide residues. seasonal access to a pasture. Studies suggest Why: Organic labels on fish and shellfish Rinsing conventionally grown fruits and that meat from such animals might provide are meaningless, because there are no vegetables doesn’t effectively reduce more health benefits than meat from animals government-approved organic standards for pesticide residues. Organic produce isn’t fattened on a conventional diet of grain. seafood. treated with synthetic fertilizers or most These eggs are all organic. (Maddie Meyer/ synthetic pesticides in the first place. The Washington Post) The benefits are considerable for many items, Dairy including fruits, vegetable, meat and dairy Priority level: Medium to high. products. (Juliette Michel/AFP/Getty Images) Why: Nutritional benefits. Poultry Research has found that organic milk Priority level: Medium to high. contains about 60 percent more heart- Why: To discourage the routine use of healthy omega-3 fatty acids than non- YES, ORGANIC CAN COST MORE BUT HERE antibiotics and questionable feed. organic versions, a benefit that also extends ARE 10 REASONS WHY IT’S WORTH IT: 1. Organic farmers get no government subsidies. Organic poultry is almost always raised to cheese and yogurt. Organic dairy cows 2. You will automatically become an environmen- talist. without the routine use of antibiotics. aren’t treated with growth hormones, and 3. You will be healthier. (The widespread use of such drugs in they eat a diet free of animal byproducts. 4. You can feel good about your contribution to a food animals is contributing to a rise in Packaged food better world. 5. You’re supporting families and businesses that antibiotic-resistant bacteria.) And organic Priority level: Low to medium. are making the world better. birds can’t be fed poultry litter — a mixture 6. You’re helping to prevent climate change. Why: To avoid consumption of food additives 7. You’re helping to prevent drought & floods. of droppings, spilled feed and feathers — or and synthetic dyes. 8. You’ll leave the world a better place than you arsenic drugs. found it. At least 95 percent of ingredients in certified- 9. Karma points. Consumer Reports’ tests have found that organic processed foods must themselves be 10. It just tastes better!

8 MMajorajor studystudy documentsdocuments benefitsbenefits ofof oorganicrganic ffarmingarming

PULLMAN, Wash. – The largest study of Journal of Nutrition. “Our team learned California. its kind has found that organic foods and valuable lessons from earlier reviews on this Responding to the new paper’s results, crops have a suite of advantages over topic, and we benefited from the team’s Reganold said, “This is an impressive study, their conventional counterparts, including remarkable breadth of scientific skills and and its major nutritional findings are similar more antioxidants and fewer, less frequent experience.” to those reported in our 2010 strawberry pesticide residues. Most of the publications covered in the study paper.” The study looked at an unprecedented 343 looked at crops grown in the same area on Organic plants produce more antioxidants peer-reviewed publications comparing the similar soils. This approach reduces other The British Journal of Nutrition study was nutritional quality and safety of organic and possible sources of variation in nutritional led by scientists at Newcastle University in conventional plant-based foods, including and safety parameters. the United Kingdom, with Benbrook helping fruits, vegetables and grains. The study The research team found the quality and design the study, write the paper and review team applied sophisticated meta-analysis reliability of comparison studies has greatly the scientific literature, particularly on studies techniques to quantify differences between improved in recent years, leading to the in North and South America. organic and non-organic foods. discovery of significant nutritional and In general, the team found that organic food safety differences not detected in crops have several nutritional benefits that earlier studies. For example, the new study Quality of studies improves stem from the way the crops are produced. incorporates the results of a research project A plant on a conventionally managed field “Science marches on,” said Charles led by WSU’s John Reganold that compared will typically have access to high levels Benbrook, a Washington State University the nutritional and sensory quality of organic of synthetic nitrogen and will marshal researcher and the lone American co- and conventional strawberries grown in author of the paper published in the British the extra resources into producing sugars

9 and starches. As a result, the harvested to apply toxic, synthetic pesticides. While to identify any significant clinical health portion of the plant will often contain lower crops harvested from organically managed benefits from consumption of organic food, concentrations of other nutrients, including fields sometimes contain pesticide residues, but incorporated fewer than half the number health-promoting antioxidants. the levels are usually 10-fold to 100-fold of comparisons for most health-promoting lower in organic food, compared to the nutrients. Without the synthetic chemical pesticides corresponding, conventionally grown food. applied on conventional crops, organic “We benefited from a much larger and plants tend to produce more phenols and “This study is telling a powerful story of how higher quality set of studies than our polyphenols to defend against pest attacks organic plant-based foods are nutritionally colleagues who carried out earlier reviews,” and related injuries. In people, phenols superior and deliver bona fide health said Carlo Leifert, a Newcastle University and polyphenols can help prevent diseases benefits,” said Benbrook. professor and the project leader. triggered or promoted by oxidative damage, In a surprising finding, the team concluded The Newcastle study cost about $429,000 like coronary heart disease, stroke and that conventional crops had roughly twice and was funded by the European Framework certain cancers. as much cadmium, a toxic heavy metal Programme 6, which is a research program Overall, organic crops had 18 to 69 percent contaminant, as organic crops. The leading of the European Union, and the Sheepdrove higher concentrations of antioxidant explanation is that certain fertilizers Trust, a private charity that supports research compounds. The team concludes that approved for use only on conventional farms on sustainability, diversity and organic consumers who switch to organic fruit, somehow make cadmium more available farming. vegetables and cereals would get 20 to to plant roots. A doubling of cadmium from 40 percent more antioxidants. That’s the food could push some individuals over safe equivalent of about two extra portions of daily intake levels. fruit and vegetables a day, with no increase Team surveys more and better studies in caloric intake. More than half the studies in the Newcastle 10 to 100 times fewer pesticide residues analysis were not available to the research The researchers also found pesticide team that carried out a 2009 study residues were three to four times more commissioned by the UK Food Standards likely in conventional foods than organic Agency. Another review published by a ones, as organic farmers are not allowed Stanford University team in 2011 failed

10 SStudytudy ffindsinds cclearlear ddifferencesifferences bbetweenetween oorganicrganic aandnd nnon-organicon-organic ffoodood

LONDON: It is now official - fruits and Framework 6 programme and the antioxidants and reduced exposure to toxic vegetables grown organically are up to 69% Sheepdrove Trust, found that concentrations heavy metals. higher in a number of key antioxidants than of antioxidants such as polyphenolics were Professor Charles Benbrook, one of the conventionally-grown crops. between 18-69% higher in organically- authors of the study and a leading scientist grown crops. The largest study of its kind by an based at Washington State University, international team of experts led by Numerous studies have linked explains “Our results are highly relevant and Newcastle University in UK analysed 343 antioxidants to a reduced risk of chronic significant and will help both scientists and studies into the compositional differences diseases, including cardiovascular and consumers sort through the often conflicting between organic and conventional crops and neurodegenerative diseases and certain information currently available on the found that a switch to eating organic fruit, cancers. Substantially lower concentrations nutrient density of organic and conventional vegetable and cereals - and food made from of a range of the toxic heavy metal cadmium plant-based foods”. them - would provide additional antioxidants were also detected in organic crops (on Professor Leifert added “The organic vs non- equivalent to eating between 1-2 extra average 48% lower). organic debate has rumbled on for decades portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Nitrogen concentrations were found to now but the evidence from this study is The study, published in the British Journal be significantly lower in organic crops. overwhelming - that organic food is high in of Nutrition on Saturday also shows Concentrations of total nitrogen were 10%, antioxidants and lower in toxic metals and significantly lower levels of toxic heavy nitrate 30% and nitrite 87% lower in organic pesticides. metals in organic crops. compared to conventional crops. This is the most extensive analysis of the Cadmium, which is one of only three metal The study also found that pesticide residues nutrient content in organic vs conventionally- contaminants along with lead and mercury were four times more likely to be found in produced foods ever undertaken and is the for which the European Commission has set conventional crops than organic ones. result of a ground-breaking new systematic maximum permitted contamination levels literature review and meta-analysis by the Newcastle University’s professor Carlo in food, was found to be almost 50% lower international team. Leifert who led the study said “This study in organic crops than conventionally-grown demonstrates that choosing food produced ones. according to organic standards can lead to The study, funded jointly by the European increased intake of nutritionally desirable

The organic vs non-organic debate has rumbled on for decades now but the evidence from this study is overwhelming - that organic food is high in antioxidants and lower in toxic metals and pesticides.

11 OOrganicrganic ffoodsoods mmayay hhelpelp ppreventrevent ccancer:ancer: SStudytudy

WASHINGTON: Organic foods and crops “This study is telling a powerful story of how The study looked at an unprecedented 343 have a suite of advantages over their organic plant-based foods are nutritionally peer-reviewed publications comparing the conventional counterparts, including more superior and deliver bona fide health nutritional quality and safety of organic and antioxidants, fewer, less frequent pesticide benefits,” said co-author of the study Charles conventional plant-based foods, including residues, and properties that may help Benbrook, a researcher at Washington State fruits, vegetables, and grains. prevent cancer, a study suggests. University in the US. The researchers applied sophisticated meta- Without the synthetic chemical pesticides The team found that organic crops have analysis techniques to quantify differences applied on conventional crops, organic several nutritional benefits that stem from between organic and non-organic foods. plants tend to produce more phenols and the way the crops are produced. Pesticide residues were three to four times polyphenols to defend against pest attacks A plant on a conventionally managed field more likely in conventional foods than and related injuries, the findings showed. will typically have access to high levels of organic ones, as organic farmers are not In people, phenols and polyphenols can synthetic nitrogen, and will marshal the allowed to apply toxic, synthetic pesticides. help prevent diseases triggered or promoted extra resources into producing sugars and Consumers who switch to organic fruit, by oxidative-damage like coronary heart starches. vegetables, and cereals would get 20 to 40 disease, stroke and certain cancers. As a result, the harvested portion of the percent more antioxidants, the researchers Overall, organic crops had 18 to 69 percent plant will often contain lower concentrations concluded. higher concentrations of antioxidant of other nutrients, including health- The study appeared in the British Journal of compounds, the study said. promoting antioxidants. Nutrition.

12 IInn ffondond rrememberanceememberance HHowardoward TThomashomas OOdumdum ((alsoalso kknownnown aass TTomom oorr jjustust HH.T.).T.) ((1924–2002)1924–2002) wwasas aann AAmericanmerican eecologist.cologist. HHee iiss kknownnown fforor hhisis ppioneeringioneering wworkork oonn eecosystemcosystem eecology,cology, andand forfor hishis provocativeprovocative pproposalsroposals fforor aadditionaldditional llawsaws ofof tthermodynamics,hermodynamics, iinformednformed bbyy hhisis wworkork oonn ggeneraleneral ssystemsystems ttheorheory.y.

Elements. This step took him from his early an avid birdwatcher in both his professional interest in ornithology and brought him and personal life. into the emerging field of systems ecology. The Ecological Society awarded Odum its Through this a meteorologist “analysis of the Mercer Award to recognize his contributions global circulation of strontium, anticipated in to the study of the coral reef on Eniwetok the late 1940s the view of the earth as one Atoll. Odum also received the French Prix great ecosystem.” de Vie, and the Crafoord Prize of the Royal While at Yale, Howard began his lifelong Swedish Academy of Science considered the collaborations with his brother Eugene. They Nobel equivalent for bioscience not originally continued to collaborate in research as well honored by Nobel himself. Charles A S Hall as writing for the rest of their lives. has called Odum one of the most innovative From 1956 to 1963, Odum worked as and important thinkers of our time, noting the Director of the Marine Institute of the that Howard Odum, either alone or with his University of Texas. During this time, he brother Eugene, received essentially all of became aware of the interplay of ecological- international prizes awarded to ecologists. energetic and economic forces. He then The only higher education institute to award taught at the University of North Carolina at both Odum brothers honorary degrees was Chapel Hill, where he was in the Department The Ohio State University which honored H.T. of Zoology, and one of the professors in in 1995 and Gene in 1999. Odum was the third child of the American the new Curriculum of Marine Sciences Odum’s students have carried on his work at sociologist Howard W. Odum, and the until his move to the University of Florida in institutions around the world, most notably brother of Eugene Odum. Their father 1970 where he taught at the Environmental Mark Brown, David Tilley, Patrick Kangas, “encouraged his sons to go into science and Engineering Sciences Department, started Daniel Campbell, Enrique Ortega and Sergio to develop new techniques to contribute and directed the Center for Environmental Ulgiati. Work done by them continues to to social progress. Howard learned his Policy and founded the University’s Center evolve and propagate the Odum’s concept early scientific lessons about birds from his for Wetlands in 1973, the first of its kind in of emergy. His former students Bill Mitsch, brother, and about fish and the philosophy the world that is still in operation today. Robert Costanza, and Scott W. Nixon are of biology while working after school for the among a cadre of former students who have marine zoologist Robert Coker. Odum continued this work for 26 years until his retirement in 1996. In the 1960s-1970s been recognized internationally for their Howard Thomas studied biology at the Odum was also chairman of the International contributions to ecological engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Biological Program’s Tropical Biome planning ecological economics, ecosystem science, where he published his first paper while committee and was supported by large wetland ecology, estuarine ecology, still an undergraduate. His education was contracts with the United States Atomic ecological modeling, and related fields. interrupted for three years by his World War Energy Commission. His featured project II service with the Army Air Force in Puerto at University of Florida in the 1970s was Rico and the Panama Canal Zone where he on recycling treated sewage into cypress worked as a tropical meteorologist. After the swamps, one of the first projects that began Odum also received the war, he returned to the University of North the now widespread approach of using Carolina and completed his B.S. in zoology wetlands as water quality improvement French Prix de Vie, and (Phi Beta Kappa) in 1947. ecosystems. This is one of his most important the Crafoord Prize of the In 1950, Howard earned his Ph.D. in zoology contributions to the beginnings of the field Royal Swedish Academy at Yale University, under the guidance of of ecological engineering. G. Evelyn Hutchinson. His dissertation was In his last years, Odum was Graduate of Science considered titled The Biogeochemistry of Strontium: With Research Professor Emeritus and Director of the Nobel equivalent for Discussion on the Ecological Integration of the Center for Environmental Policy.He was bioscience

13 Dragon fly

Hathikuli Organic-Growing Naturally -bbyy SSandeepanandeepan BBhattacharjeehattacharjee

Lesser Cormorant Purple Marsh Hen Peacock Soft shell Turtle

15 Palm Squirel

Eastern Eyed Cat Snake

Greater Goldenback wood pecker

Black Kite White Lipped Put viper

Sandeepan Bhattacharjee is an Assistant Manager at Hathikuli Tea Estate. Sandeepan is a talanted photographer and a wild life and nature enthusiast so this has given him ample opportunities to click pictures of animals and birds in Hathikuli and Kaziranga. Lesser Adjutant Stork

16 Organic News States and China – thanks to its mild incentives for biogas, competition is World Scenerio climate and perfect farming conditions. increasing for organic material 1) 45% of Americans try to include 4) Organic Farm products gain • As the biogas sector grows, it is faced organic foods in their diet, 15% try Popularity in Italy with a new challenge. Biogas systems to avoid them http://www.oryza.com/news/rice-news/ convert decaying organic material into http://www.freshplaza.com/ organic-farm-products-gain-popularity-italy useable energy and a soil amendment. article/125663/45-procent-of-Americans-try- • According to the Italian Agriculture 8) Organic farming takes root in Nepal to-include-organic-foods-in-their-diet,-15- Minister,Consumption of organic farm http://www.freshplaza.com/article/125646/ procent-try-to-avoid-them products in italy has Increased by around Organic-farming-takes-root-in-Nepal • Nearly half of all Americans have 17.3 % ,despite a decline in general food • Lama and his enterprise are part of a new embraced organic foods, according to a Consumption by around 1.4% agricultural sector flourishing in Nepal. new national poll 5) Organic buyers not concerned by The 60 varieties of vegetables grown on • As part of its annual Consumption country of origin his farm bring in NRs. 1.5m ($15,470) Habits survey, Gallup for the first time http://www.agriland.ie/news/organic-buyers- monthly. asked respondents about their feelings concerned-country-origin/ 9) Organic farming training helps on organic foods. The polling firm found • The organic customer in Italy tends to be create self-employment 45% of respondents say they try to less concerned with a product’s country http://www.thedailystar.net/organic-farming- include organic foods in their diets. of origin training-helps-create-self-employment-37820 2) Canada funds research to boost • Confidence in organic production • An organic farming training center has organic produce methods is a more important factor in been built on 8 acres of land in a remote http://www.thepacker.com/fruit- determining purchasing decisions.” area under Kaliganj upazila. This is the vegetable-news/marketing-profiles/ 6) Organic farming couple honoured first such training center in Bangladesh. Canada-funds-research-to-boost-organic- by White House • The farmers and female workers of produce-272048741.html http://www.freshplaza.com/article/126171/ different districts are receiving training • The Canadian government is investing $8 US-(CA)-Organic-farming-couple-honoured- from the center, which is housed in two million in organic research that includes by-White-House four-storied building in Kaliganj upazila. projects on increasing yield and quality of • An Escondido couple who run an organic 10) Organic food growing popular in organic fruits and vegetables. farm were among a dozen military Hong Kong thanks to food safety • Investments like this in research and veterans and their families honoured scare development span the entire value chain, today as “Champions of Change” by the http://www.freshplaza.com/article/127009/ from production through to the consumer, White House. Organic-food-growing-popular-in-Hong- and support the competitiveness, growth • Colin and Karen Archipley co-founded Kong-thanks-to-food-safety-scare and prosperity of the organic sector and Archi’s Acres Organic Farming Enterprise, • One of the world’s most densely our overall economy a seven-year-old, 1-acre certified organic populated places, the former British 3) Organic growth spurt in Spain greenhouse operation that grows basil colony imports nearly all of its food with http://www.theolivepress.es/spain- and kale and other thing for Whole just two per cent of its vegetables locally news/2014/08/23/organic-growth-spurt-in- Foods. grown. spain/ 7) Organic Material Recycling • While still flown in to the semi- • SPAIN has the largest area dedicated to Momentum Builds autonomous southern Chinese city, organic farming in the whole of Europe, http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/10842/ homegrown organic vegetables now according to Eurostat data. organic-material-recycling-momentum-builds make up 12 per cent of the 45 tons of • It is also placed fifth in the world – vegetables the city produces daily. • As more systems come on line in following Australia, Argentina, the United jurisdictions where there are financial • Shoppers are shrugging off the fact that

17 Organic News they cost more than their mass produced • The college will be signing the MoU government in promotion of organic counterparts. with Sustainable Agro Alliance (SAAL) of farming and skill development in the India news Aruppukottai during the inauguration of State. golden jubilee year on Tuesday. • The industry apex body said that Jitan 1) Organic farming in State by 2016 • The minimum qualification for attending Ram Manjhi, Chief Minister of Bihar http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/ this course will be a pass in Class 8. The made this proposal on Friday when a CII kozhikode/organic-farming-in-state-by 2016/ course fee has been fixed as Rs 4,000 Eastern Regional team met him at Patna, article6325687.ece 4) Farm fresh organic vegetables at 7) Rs 1.5 crore plant at Kopri will turn • Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said your doorstep in Surat floral waste into organic manure organic farming will cover the entire http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ State by the end of 2016. Farm-fresh-organic-vegetables-at-your- thane/Rs-1-5-crore-plant-at-Kopri-will- • the State would be able to utilise the doorstep-in-Surat/articleshow/41807792.cms turn-floral-waste-into-organic-manure/ technology and technical know-how of • Three youngsters in their 20’s have articleshow/41451096.cms foreign nations. Besides, steps would be started free home delivery of the farm • The Thane Municipal Corporation’s taken to put into practice the results of fresh organic vegetables and fruits in the (TMC) pollution control department the agriculture research centres in the diamond city. in collaboration with a local non- country. • The organic vegetables are sourced from governmental organization - Samarth 2) Government focuses on organic a farm based out of Ahmedabad and Bharat Vyaspeeth (SBV) has initiated a Rs farming that the normal vegetables and fruits are 1.5 crore project for generating organic http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ sourced from the wholesaler dealers in manure from all the floral waste that nashik/Government-focuses-on-organic- APMC market in the city shall be collected from immersion sites farming/articleshow/41292666.cms across the city. 5) Organic veggies the new flavour • Divisional commissioner Eknath Dawale for Onam in Kerala 8) Now, actor markets organic on Saturday urged farmers to increase produce http://www.deccanherald.com/ source of organic contents. content/429399/organic-veggies-flavour- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/ • Organic farming is a low-cost method, onam-kerala.html Kochi/Now-actor-markets-organic-produce/ but we have very limited resources for articleshow/42381994.cms • As the state prepares for the festival organic farming. We would not be able this time, the feast would not only be • When buyers and sellers from several to increase the areas under organic tastier but safer as well, thanks to the countries converge here in November farming until we increase the source of organically grown vegetables. for ‘BioFach India together with India organic contents,” he said Organic 2014’, a niche trade fair on • The rise in pesticide residues in 3) Agriculture college to start in- organic products in India, to scout for vegetables sold in local markets house organic course for farmers organic products, actor Sreenivasan will prompted many to turn to the organic have something to offer. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ variety, as sellers press home the merits madurai/Agriculture-college-to-start- of switching to organic food in the • The harvest from 40-acre paddy in-house-organic-course-for-farmers/ season of indulgence. fields near his house in Kandand near articleshow/40382949.cms Tripunithura will be up for grabs. 6) Bihar to team with CII for organic • In a major move to give thrust on farming promotion 9) Hyderabad takes to organic foods organic farming, Agricultural College and http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/ http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140911/ Research Institute (AC & RI), Madurai of states/bihar-to-team-with-cii-for-organic- nation-current-affairs/article/hyderabad- Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, will farming-promotion/article6383210.ece takes-organic-foods-0 sign a Memorandum of Understanding • Bihar has asked the Confederation of • The demand for organic food products with organic farming community of Indian Industry to collaborate with the has been rising steadily in the city, with a Aruppukottai.

18 Organic News 48 per cent increase since 2011. a steady stream of clients and she Events • Today, there are 32 new mini stores progressed from a one-table unit selling organic produce in the city. to a six-table, two-level studio in Asia’s biggest Organic fair at Kochi in Moreover, weekly and monthly organic Tiruvanmiyur, where she displays saris, Nov bazaars are organised and there is also stoles, ethnic suits, fusion wear, jewellery http://www.business-standard.com/article/ the option of home delivery of organic and knick knacks made of organic pti-stories/asia-s-biggest-organic-fair-at- products. textiles. kochi-in-nov-114082700838_1.html 10) Going the organic way North-East News • Aiming to provide a common platform http://www.thehindu.com/features/ for buyers, sellers and other stakeholders 1) Small growers await nod for friday-review/going-the-organic-way/ in the organic sector, Kerala will be organic tea factory article6379576.ece hosting Asia’s biggest International http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/ • She has built a label block by block! Organic trade fair ‘BioFach India’-India detailsnew.asp?id=sep0314/state053 When Neesha Amrish began a one-table Organic 2014 at nearby Angamally from • A section of officials of the Tea Board of fabric printing unit in T. Nagar, Chennai, November 6-8. organised by the state India is alleged to be causing difficulties six years ago, she never imagined she government, Kerala State Industrial to some small tea growers who are would survive the winds of change taking to organic farming. Development Corporation sweeping the fashion industry. • Vijay Kashyap, a small tea grower and • The conference is expected to create • “All I could see in the market was owner of the Agnigarh Bioplantations in awareness about organic agri business, machine-made fabric with kilos of bling. Sonitpur district, alleged that though his best practises in quality and value And here I was, working in a non- farm submitted an original application addition at global standards descript studio trying to go organic with to set up an organic tea factory to the • round 20 buyers from various parts of block prints and homespun textiles.” Tezpur Tea Board office on December 10, • But her vibrant colour stories, delicate 2013, the farm is yet to get the Board’s the country are expected to participate. motifs and fuss-free styling attracted nod for this.

19 IInn MemoriumMemorium WWilliamilliam OOliverliver William was the former Chair of the IUCN/ Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme was Mr. Aditya Khaitan. SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, which he set born. Today, the programme team in India He had an incredible grasp of the details of up and coordinated for 32 years. has worked hard on habitat restoration, is many conservation issues, and yet also had a running a very successful captive breeding We have not only lost a widely valued huge vision. William was also a very talented operation in two facilities and has so far conservation activist who spent most of his wildlife illustrator. His artwork is published as managed to reintroduce 85 captive bred life fighting for the survival of endangered wildlife stamps, book illustrations, awareness hogs in two locations - significant numbers species, but also a remarkable character in posters, logo’s etc. and has been used in the considering that the last naturally surviving conservation and a very talented artist. service of conservation for taxa in Asia and population in I\/Ianasmay may count less across the globe. Following a brief period as an animal than 200 animals. Recently, William was keeper and education officer at Marwell acknowledged for his work with the Pygmy William Oliver passed away on 10 September Zoo, William launched his wildlife career Hog Conservation Programme when he was 2014. at the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust nominated as an Earth Hero by the Balipara William will be sorely missed. No doubt the (now the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Foundation in Assam, India. William received best way to honour him is to keep carrying Trust) in 1974. In 1977, he undertook a an award at the inaugural 2013 Balipara out species conservation with passion, grit Pygmy hog field survey in Assam, India and Foundation Awards - Recognizing Ecological and determination. from then onwards became a passionate Best Practices in the Eastern Himalayas. conservationist and defender of the plight of It is no exaggeration to say that William wild pigs and other often overlooked taxa in was the founder of wild pig conservation the Philippines, Asia and across the globe. worldwide. It was his life-long dedication He helped establish the original Pigs and and determination to put the conservation It is no exaggeration to Peccaries Specialist Group in 1980 at the of these previously ignored species on the invitation of (the late) Sir Peter Scott, then say that William was map. Without him, quite possibly an entire Chair of the SSC. genus, Porcula (the Pygmy Hog), would have the founder of wild pig William was instrumental in the been lost. conservation worldwide. It development, from 1990 onwards, of William was an extraordinary character who the Philippines Biodiversity Consen/ was his life-long dedication left a lasting impression on all those who ation Programme with initially as core met him. He worked closely with Ranjit and determination to put components the conservation programmes Barthakur, John Oliver, Mohan Pal Sidhu and for the Visayan spotted dear, the Calamian the conservation of these continued to work with Gautam Narain till deer and the Visayan Warty Pig. Over time his untimely demise. He was well known previously ignored species the conservation activities expanded to among the planters especially visioneries like other taxa, other areas and other partners, on the map. Mr. Richard Magor, Mr. B.M. Khaitan, eventually resulting in the Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation. ln recent years, William was the Director of Programme Development and Conservation Partnerships for the foundation. In 1995, 18 years after the formal submission and approval of the first ‘pygmy hog action plan’, William was instrumental in the establishment of an International Consevation Management and Research Agreement between the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests, India, the Assam Forest Department, the Pigs, Peccaries, and Hippos SG, and the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and the

20 A Grey Langur at Hathikuli Organic Tea Estate

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Editorial Board: Conrad Dennis - [email protected], Husain Rajkotwala - [email protected], Ranjit Barthakur - [email protected], Bittu Sehgal - [email protected], Prabir Banerjea - [email protected], Nicholas Claxton - [email protected], Dr. Raman Srinivasan - [email protected], Kaustuv Bhadra - [email protected]

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